Ophiorrhiza is a genus of flowering plants in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). It contains 378 species native to the Indian subcontinent, Indochina, China, Taiwan, Japan, Malesia, Papuasia, Queensland, and the South Pacific. Species of the genus contain camptothecin, an alkaloid used to make chemotherapeutic agents.Joseph, G. and J. P. Joseph. Rediscovery of Ophiorrhiza caudata (Rubiaceae) from the Western Ghats of Kerala. Rheedia 19 45.Viraporn, V., et al. (2010). Correlation of camptothecin-producing ability and phylogenetic relationship in the genus Ophiorrhiza. Planta Med. in pub. Many Ophiorrhiza species are endemic to certain areas of the Western Ghats.
Species include: Ophiorrhiza acuminata Ophiorrhiza australiana Ophiorrhiza gajureliana Ophiorrhiza bifloraRare plant rediscovered on Mount Apo after 122 years — DENR Davao Region : GMA News Online Ophiorrhiza blumeana Ophiorrhiza bracteata Ophiorrhiza cantoniensis Ophiorrhiza carinata Ophiorrhiza caudata Ophiorrhiza dulongensis Ophiorrhiza filistipula Ophiorrhiza japonica Ophiorrhiza jomyi Ophiorrhiza kuroiwaiAsano, T., et al. (2004). Camptothecin production by in vitro cultures of Ophiorrhiza liukiuensis and O. kuroiwai. Plant Biotechnology 21:4 275. Ophiorrhiza liukiuensis Ophiorrhiza longiflora Ophiorrhiza lurida Ophiorrhiza major Ophiorrhiza michelloidesChu, F., et al. (2006). Taxonomic Status of Ophiorrhiza michelloides (Masam.) X. R. Lo (Rubiaceae) in Taiwan. Taiwania 51:2 143.Nakamura, K., et al. (2006). Phylogenetic systematics of the monotypic genus Hayataella (Rubiaceae) endemic to Taiwan. Journal of Plant Research 119:657–661. Ophiorrhiza mungos Ophiorrhiza nutans Ophiorrhiza prostrataBeegum, A. S., et al. (2007). Organogenesis from leaf and internode explants of Ophiorrhiza prostrata, an anticancer drug (camptothecin) producing plant. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology 10:1. Ophiorrhiza pumilaNakamura, K., et al. (2006). Homostyly and autogamy in Ophiorrhiza pumila (Rubiaceae) in the Ryukyu Archipelago. Journal of Japanese Botany 81:113–120. Ophiorrhiza rosea Ophiorrhiza rugosa Ophiorrhiza succirubra Ophiorrhiza meenachilarensis
References
External links Vascular Plants of Gaoligong Shan, Yunnan, China: Ophiorrhiza Darwin, S. P. (1976). The Pacific species of Ophiorrhiza (Rubiaceae). Lyonia 1:2.